CHCI's R2L Visits the Greater Dallas Area

More than 200 local high school students and mentors took part in CHCI’s Ready to Lead Dallas on Saturday, May 17, 2014, at theUniversity of Texas at Arlington, in the Dallas region. The goal of R2L is to help Latino high school students enter postsecondary education by motivating them to complete high school, empowering them to serve and lead in their communities, and instilling a belief that a college education is achievable. Students were trained in college planning, financing a college education, and leadership development.

University of Texas at Arlington President, Dr. Vistasp M. Karbhari, started the event by officially welcoming R2L participants to the campus. This was followed by remarks from Joedis Avila from sponsor Ford Motor Company, who shared information about scholarships and the importance students continuing their education. Before heading to their workshops, students heard inspirational local radio personality Edgar “Shoboy” Sotelo who encouraged students to make the choice to be champions.

Students received financial literacy training from representatives from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, as well as a college planning workshop presented by UT Arlington’s Office of Admissions. CHCI Alumni Sasha Moreno and Joe Carreon presented the Leadership Development workshops. Most importantly, the participants had the opportunity to hear the stories of nearly 30 mentors, who came to plant the seed of leadership in the hearts and minds of our participants. Jacinto Ramos, Jr., school board member from Fort Worth Independent School District, introduced the activity and was joined by CHCI Alumni, local college students, and representatives from organizations such as Time Warner Cable, AT&T, and more.

The program closed with a powerful keynote address by CHCI alumnus Raul Magdaleno who moved the entire room with his personal story of struggle and eventual triumph. Magdaleno asked students to never quit and give up on themselves, and reminded them that the success of the Latino community is a shared responsibility, telling students, “We need to tell each other that if you made it, we all made it; if you make it, I make it!.” When asked about her experience with R2L, a student from Fort Worth, Marisol Sanchez, said, “I feel much more confident about college and my future. I believe that this program really inspired and helped me.”

With the support of Ford Motor Company, State Farm®, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, and the University of Texas at Arlington, R2L was able to impact the lives of young Latinos in Dallas and empower them to pursue higher education. CHCI is proud to continue educating, motivating, and empowering Latino youth in the Greater Dallas Area.

CHCI is tax-exempt under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue code. Federal ID # 52-1114225. CHCI does not attempt to influence legislation and does not employ or retain any registered lobbyists. All grants and contributions to CHCI are tax deductible to the extent permitted by federal law. Donations to CHCI may also be made through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) 30620.